Ocoee Facing Higher Garbage Service Rate

OCOEE — Garbage service rates are destined to increase -- possibly before the next budget year begins in October -- but city officials have not decided how much they will rise.

Commissioners asked acting city manager A.B. Preston Tuesday to develop recommendations on how Ocoee can reduce a $69,000 shortage it will face if the rates are not increased.

Preston said the city has been buying trucks with federal revenue-sharing money, a funding process that is expected to end this year. The city, which has been subsidizing the garbage collection service, has not set aside money to buy new trucks.

He said the service must pay for itself, and the city must set up a fund to replace the revenue-sharing money.

Commissioner Junior Hager said the city has been too lax with garbage rates over the years, trying to help citizens.

''We've been subsidizing the fund from $40,000 to $45,000 a year. It's not been paying its way,'' Hager said. The city charges $8 a month for residential service. People older than 65 get free garbage pickup.

Preston prepared a report showing the city would have to increase its residential rates by $1 a month, charge senior citizens $2, and increase commercial rates on a scale depending on the number of pickups and the size of the dumpster. Rates for commercial garbage pickup are strikingly low, he said. Preston said the city also could reduce some services.

Commissioners asked Preston to present proposals July 1 so rates could be raised before the new budget year if necessary.

Also at the meeting, after a year of wrangling over technicalities at the $1.2 million Forest Oaks water plant, city officials said they will take over the plant's operations and maintenance today.

The plant developer, Wayne Rich of Amick Construction Inc., has agreed to remedy problems described by consulting engineer Steve Miller as minor circuitry difficulties in the electrical system.

The plant serves residents of the Forest Oaks subdivision and will provide water to several subdivisions developing nearby.

City engineer Tom Kelly said it will be easy to expand the plant to serve more customers. About $10,000 to $20,000 will pay for engineering and buy a high-speed pump.